Augusta, Maine- The Maine Wildlife Conservation Council is pleased to announce that for the second time this summer a town has issued a resolution in opposition to Question 1, the bear referendum which proposes to eliminate Maine’s three most effective methods of controlling Maine’s bear population. The Town of Portage Lake notified the Maine Wildlife Conservation Council on Wednesday that they had unanimously supported this resolution and join the town of Millinocket in their formal opposition.

“We are so pleased that yet another municipality has decided to formally oppose Question 1. Question 1 would hurt hundreds of small businesses (guides and outfitters, as well as the associated businesses that support them), and undermines 40 years of scientific research at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that concludes these three methods of hunting are vital to controlling Maine’s large bear population,” said James Cote, Campaign Manager for the No on 1 campaign. “We encourage all municipalities to learn about the science behind these three methods and the nationally recognized bear management program at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.”

History clearly shows that in states where these methods were banned, bears are becoming an increased problem and pose a serious threat to public safety (see attached bullets). In addition, we know that states like North Carolina, New York, and others are seeking to implement new methods of controlling their bear populations because they have become such an issue.

“The bottom line is that long after the proponents of this legislation decamp to Washington, D.C., Maine people and local leaders would have to assume the burden and cost of dealing with an out of control bear population. That’s not what we want for Maine people and that’s not the way we think bears should be managed. Let’s leave the management of Maine’s healthy bear population to the nationally recognized bear biologists and game wardens at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife,” said Cote.

The other day I posted a photo and map of the large Portage Glacier on the southern end of Portage Lake, Alaska. Below is another photograph of Byron Glacier, near the same Portage Lake. Byron Glacier can be found on the western side of Portage Lake further to the North from Portage Glacier as is shown and labeled on the Google Earth map shown below.